| How to Identify a Russian Blue Posted: 01 Jun 2016 05:00 PM PDT Have you ever come across a stunning blue cat but didn't know what kind of cat it was? The odds of it are low, but it could be a Russian blue cat. There are a few ways to help you identify a Russian blue cat when you find one. EditRecognizing Russian Blue Characteristics - Learn about the breed. The Russian Blue is a type of purebred or pedigree cat. The origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed they originated in the Archangel Islands in North Russia. The weather there is extremely harsh in winter, which is why the Russian Blue developed such a thick, plush coat for insulation.
- The breed starting spreading to other parts of the world in the second half of the 19th century, and reached the US in the early 20th century.[1]
- Notice the cat's size. Russian Blues are around 10 inches in height to the shoulder. Their average weight is 12 lbs, although some individuals will be bigger or smaller than this, depending on their lifestyle, feeding habits, and how active they are.
- They have an average lifespan of 10 -15 years.[2]
- Recognize the cat's general appearance. Russian Blues give an overall impression of being a long, slender, elegant cat. They have a long graceful neck when stretched out, but the deep plush coat can disguise this and make the neck appear shorter.
- The body is lean with fine bones and generally with defined, lean muscles.[3]
- Notice the eye color. Russian Blues have a distinctive green eye color. This trait starts to develop from 4 months of age and manifests as a rim of green around the outside of the iris, which is the colored part of the eye. All kittens are born with blue eyes, but the color changes to the final adult shade once they get older.[4]
- Look at the head shape. Russian Blues have a characteristic wedge-shaped or triangular face, which is often described as cobra like with seven distinct planes. Typical cats, in contrast, tend to have a rounder, more apple like skull. This sets Russian Blues apart.[5][6]
- Examine the coloring of the fur, nose, and paws. The most striking and unique thing about a Russian Blue is the coat for which it is named. It appears silvery grey, though blue is a traditional description for this color. It should be dense, thick, plush, and double layered.
- If you look carefully at individual hairs, you will find a grey shaft tipped with lighter grey or silver at the tip.[7][8]
- The nose of the Russian Blues will be black and the paw pads will be mauve.
- Consider the character of the cat. Russian Blues tend to be shy with strangers, but affectionate once they get to know their owners. They are gentle and playful, which makes them very suitable for first time cat owners. One of their particular quirks is that the Russian Blues likes to play fetch, which is most unusual amongst cat breeds and more usually associated with their canine friends.
- Russian Blues have a reputation for having a quiet voice, unlike some of the other breeds with an oriental appearance and pointed face, such as the Siamese or Havanese. These breeds can be extremely vocal and screechy.
- They are great observers and love to actively watch what's going on around them, without necessarily joining in. Like many cats, they are lovers of peace and will prefer to retire to a quieter spot while noisy activities such as vacuuming take place.[9]
- Check the pedigree papers. Cats are not recognized to have a distinct breed unless they have the pedigree to prove it. You can not claim that a pretty blue cat is Russian Blue if you don't have the papers to prove it. If there are no paper, that cat is actually considered a Domestic Shorthair, which is the official term for no-breed felines.[10]
- This doesn't make that cat any less worthy of a good home, of course, but it is definitely not considered a Russian Blue if you ask show judges or breeders.[11]
- Think about the costs. True Russian Blues are in fact rather rare, and often very expensive. The average reservation fee alone for one in Europe from a decent cattery is around 1000 euros as of 2012. The average cost of Russian Blue kittens in the US is between $400 and $600. Most so-called "Russian Blues" at shelters are in fact just Domestic Shorthairs, as cats of such an expense would not be abandoned.[12]
- Breeders are also very strict about their standards and often refuse to sell Russian Blues to families that cannot commit to the cat.
- All pet-quality Russian Blues are sold spayed or neutered to prevent them from reproducing and stop non-breeders flooding the market with Russian Blue kittens, which would make them less exclusive.
EditGetting a DNA Test - Consider a DNA test. If you are not sure about your animal's heritage and you don't have papers, consider getting a DNA test. All animals have specific DNA, which provides codes for their parentage. The DNA is equivalent to a fingerprint that points to the genetic origins of the breed. These tests, which are the same technology that criminal and law enforcement agencies use, is now available for pets.
- The tests look for genetic marker material that indicate the breed of the parents. Reputable sites compare this with data held by the International Society of Animal Genetics, for the best possible accuracy.[13]
- Chose your site carefully. A good indicator that the site is reputable is if it is run by veterinarians. The sites will typically offer genetic testing for health conditions and hereditary illnesses. Often these sites often have parentage tests that are to the same high standard.
- You can also purchase tests on Amazon or online, but check out the seller carefully before purchasing. You want to make sure you are not wasting your money and that you will get correct results.[14]
- Collect a sample. The procedure to collect the sample from you cat is simple. The genetic test kit contains two brushes. Place one brush in the cat's cheek and swirl it around for five seconds. Remove the brush from the mouth and hold it in the air to dry for 15 seconds. Next, replace it in the packaging. Repeat with the second brush on the opposite cheek.
- This should be done away from eating or drinking, so make sure the cat hasn't eaten for at least 15 minutes before taking the test.[15]
- Send the test off to the lab. Once the lab has received the sample, which is usually via the mail, an average time to get the results is four to five days, either by email or letter.[16]
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| How to Enable Two Factor Authentication on Tumblr Posted: 01 Jun 2016 09:00 AM PDT Two Factor Authentication (2FA or TFA) is an extra layer of security that requires not only a password, but also something that only the user has, such as a piece of information, a physical token, or in the case of Tumblr, a mobile phone. TFA makes it more difficult for hackers to access your Tumblr account, but a strong password should always be the first line of security. - Log into Tumblr. Enter your e-mail address and password as Tumblr asks.
- Go to the dashboard. You will be automatically redirected to the dashboard after you log in. If you are on another Tumblr page, click the button in the upper-right corner.
- Click the button. This button is located in the upper-right corner, on the left of the blue button. After you click the button, a window should drop down.
- Click the button. his button is located under the button in the menu that just dropped down.
- Click the slider. You should now get an extra menu to fill in your country, mobile number and account password.
- Fill in the necessary information. Select the country you live in, fill in the phone number of the mobile phone you're going to use, and your Tumblr-password.
- Click .
- Fill in the 6-digit code you received via sms. Do this immediately after you receive the text-message, as the code expires after two minutes.
- You will receive the text message after about ten seconds.
- Click .
- Choose how you want to receive your authentication code.
- Send code via SMS: When you log in, you will receive a text message with a unique, one-use code.
- Generate code via authenticator app: You will receive a code through an authenticator app (Google Authenticator is recommended). This requires some additional steps:
- Scan the provided QR-code with the authenticator app.
- Enter the code you received on the authenticator app in the bar under the QR-code.
- Click .
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| How to Eat an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diet Posted: 01 Jun 2016 01:00 AM PDT Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a broad term used to diagnose chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Its two most common forms are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD is generally much more acute and serious than Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which affects the colon muscle's ability to contract.[1] In IBD, the inflammation of the lower intestines often prevents food from being fully digested and stops the body from gaining nutrients from food. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, chronic pain and cramping in the abdominal muscles, fever and rectal bleeding.[2]. Although there is no known cure for IBD (and you should always seek treatment from a doctor if you have these symptoms), modifications to your diet may help ease some of your pain. EditAvoiding Trigger Foods - Keep a food diary. Although IBD is not caused by your diet, certain foods may trigger painful inflammation in your intestines if you have this disease. It is important to know which foods cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.[3]
- In your diary, note the date and what you have eaten anytime you have a flare up of symptoms. Over time, you should get a sense of what causes your symptoms and which foods do not.
- You may also experience symptoms such as fatigue, pain in your joints, weight loss, or anemia (the loss of red blood cells).
- Keep in mind that diet and IBD is very personal; your doctor may have some general guidelines, but what works for one patient — or even an entire sample study of patients — may not work for you.
- Avoid dairy products. Many patients with IBD report experiencing diarrhea when they consume dairy products such as full fat milk, cheese (especially high fat soft cheeses), yogurt, and ice cream.[4]
- Being lactose intolerant (or incapable of consuming dairy) is often a complication of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- If you are lactose intolerant, consider using a supplement such as Lactaid which can help minimize irritation if you consume dairy products. You may also want to switch to a non-dairy alternative, such as soy or almond milk.
- Be wary of fiber. Although it is commonly believed that fiber can help relieve digestive problems, many patients with IBD report that foods high in fiber can exacerbate their symptoms. Many fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, but there are ways you can incorporate them into an IBD diet.[5]
 - Cook vegetables thoroughly. When fruits and vegetables are thoroughly cooked, they are easier to digest than in their raw form.
- Remove the skin from fruits and vegetables. The skin has insoluble fiber in it, so you might need to peel the skin from your fruits and vegetables before consuming them.[6]
- Avoid vegetables that can cause gas. These include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. Gas will only further irritate your intestines if they are already inflamed.
- If consuming vegetables in their natural form is too irritating, consider using vegetable stock instead. You can add this to rice or pasta to add flavor and nutrients. It often has the same nutritional value as whole vegetables, but is generally easier to digest.[7]
- Avoid nuts. Nuts are very high in fiber and can be especially difficult to digest.
- Pick better grains. If you are having a flare up of symptoms, avoid whole grains and breads like rye and whole wheat. Processed grains will be easier to digest. Look for breads like sourdough and French bread instead. [8]
- Avoid fatty foods. If you are suffering from a flare of symptoms, fatty foods can make your diarrhea and abdominal pain even worse. Avoid consuming butter and margarine when you are having an attack.[9]
- Watch out for pastas that have cream sauces, or foods that have been baked with cream cheese or sour cream. These also add extra fat into your system.
- Fried foods — like french fries, doughnuts, hush puppies, fried chicken, fish or shrimp — should be avoided. They add extra grease into your gastrointestinal tract.
- Fatty foods should especially be avoided if you have inflammation in the small intestine area of the gastrointestinal tract.[10]
- Avoid non-absorbable sugars. These are frequently found in pieces of candy and gum that have had chemical sweeteners added to them. These ingredients usually end with the letters -ol.[11] Common culprits include:
- Sorbitol
- Mannitol
- Xylitol
- Maltitol
- Avoid FODMAPs. Short for Fermentable-Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polys, these are sugars that can be found in some carbohydrates.[12]They include things such as:
- Fructose (commonly found in honey and corn syrup)
- Certain fruits such as apples, apricots, pears, plums and blackberries[13]
- Sugars commonly found in cereals and pre-packaged granolas
- Lactose from dairy products
- Avoid carbonated beverages. These can also cause extra air to get into the digestive tract, causing more gas and irritation.
- Similarly, avoid drinking beverages with a straw as this can also put additional air into the liquid when your drink.[14]
EditBuilding a Healthy Diet - Be sure to hydrate. Because diarrhea frequently causes dehydration, it is crucial that patients with IBD remain hydrated.[15]
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day (or 64 oz). Foods that have a high water content (like watermelon) can also count toward this minimum.
- If you have a severe attack of diarrhea, you are likely to lose electrolytes. In these cases, you might need to consume beverages such as Pedialyte or Gatorade to help replenish them. If you are consuming sports drinks or fruit juices that are high in sugar, you may need to dilute them with water or look for a low-sugar version. Fill half of the glass with juice and the other half with water.
- Moderate your intake of caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea as well as alcoholic drinks as these dehydrate the body.
- Incorporate protein. Protein is an excellent source of vitamins, zinc, iron and other nutrients. If you are recovering from a flare, then consuming protein will be a good method for restocking lost nutrients.
- Choose lean proteins like poultry, lean cuts of pork, and fish as opposed to fatty forms of red meat, like hamburger or brisket.[16]
- Smooth nut butters like peanut and almond butter are also a great way to get the protein of nuts without the irritation of eating them whole.[17]
- Incorporate probiotics into your diet. Probiotics are active microorganisms that can help encourage digestive health. They are commonly found in foods like yogurt. Talk to your doctor about incorporating probiotics into your diet as many IBD patients have had mixed results from their use.[18]
- Your doctor may suggest taking a probiotic in a supplement form if you want to avoid lactose products such as yogurt.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently. Because your digestive tract is in a sensitive state with IBD, it is best to eat four to five small meals a day as opposed to three large meals.
- Make pre-portioned snacks and meals to take with you throughout your day, especially if you are traveling.[19]
EditSupplementing a Healthy Diet - Incorporate vitamins and other nutrients. Diseases like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis can deplete the body of vital nutrients we normally take in from food. Talk to your doctor about which kinds of vitamins you should focus on reintroducing, either through food or through supplements.[20]
- You might want to avoid taking vitamin supplements in pill form as these can be difficult to digest. Instead, try to take vitamins in a powder or liquid form.[21]
- Check the ingredients on the vitamin before you consume it. Some vitamins contain non-absorbable sugars or other ingredients that could actually irritate your symptoms.
- Do not consume vitamins on an empty stomach. It's always best to take them with food.[22]
- Many patients with IBD have deficiencies in zinc, iron, calcium, and folic acid. Talk to your doctor if you need extra supplements in these areas.
- Avoid taking excessive single vitamins or minerals like vitamin A, D or E. they are fat-soluble and can be stored in the body, possibly causing toxicity.
- Exercise. Low to moderate forms of exercise have been shown to be beneficial for IBD patients. In addition to releasing positive endorphins which enhance your mood, exercise can help strengthen your muscles and joints which are often weakened by IBD. A exercise session of 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week, will benefit your cardiovascular system and your overall health.[23]
- Moderate forms of exercise include walking, jogging, biking, swimming, yoga, or gardening. If you are going for a walk, you might want to plan a route that includes a bathroom stop.
- Know your limits. If you are experiencing a flare up of symptoms and cannot eat, then you should cease exercising until you have recovered and can eat again. IBD often results in fatigue and joint pain; if you are experiencing these, do not exercise, as this could exacerbate your symptoms.[24]
- Beware of other complications. IBD can be a frustrating and difficult condition to live with. Some patients experience depression as a result of the physical pain and the difficulties of managing a diet with IBD. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you feel yourself becoming moody, irritable, or experience constant crying, a feeling of helplessness, and a disconnection from activities that you normally love.[25]
- Your doctor may refer to a psychiatrist for treatment. You might undergo a course of cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
- Search online for support groups. Speaking with others who can relate to what you're going through may help.
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